The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari’s

  • Catching them young 

    Nigeria, among the nations of the world, is now heavily saddled with the problem of unemployment.

    Many tertiary institutions in the country have continued to produce a huge number of graduates who end up in the labour market every year.

    This trend has continued for many years even though things are no longer as rosy as they used to be in the 1970s and early 1980s when graduates had many job opportunities awaiting them before even graduating from school.

    The situation then was so good that such job opportunities always had attached fringe benefits like official cars, private health care and befitting accommodation serving as incentives.

    So, it was normal for students in schools then to continue to look forward to white-collar jobs.

    It was unthinkable then for such students to be engaged in entrepreneurship and skills acquisition trainings.

    Such entrepreneurship and skills acquisition trainings, then were believed to be for school dropouts and illiterates.

    Then the problem graduates mostly faced when passing out from their tertiary institutions was how to select the best out of the various job options they had.

    But all that is now history as the complete opposite is what prevails today.

    Now, you have graduates, who have no form of entrepreneurship or skills acquisition training, moving from one office to the other in search of employment.

    Some of them, who have remained unemployed for up to nine years since graduation, have continued to rely on the support of their families and loved one.

    Others have taken up demeaning jobs, which are not befitting their certificates, just to make ends meet.

    But to change the trend, the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has started to change the orientation of students and pupils in secondary and primary schools.

    The students are now to be equipped with entrepreneurship and creative skills that will make them, at the end of their tertiary institutions, become their own bosses and employers of labour rather than searching and waiting endlessly for jobs in the labour market.

    This is to be achieved through the National School Entrepreneurship Programme (N-SEP) launched at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, last weekend.

    During the launching, two schools out of the twenty four that have competed in entrepreneurship skills, were awarded and given prize money of N500,000 each.

    They were involved in many entrepreneur skills including recycling plastics into inter-locking tiles.

    The two winning schools, Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja and Government Girls Secondary School, Abaji, Abuja, will also represent Nigeria at the Student for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) 2018 World Cup scheduled for Durban, South Africa from August 8th to 14th.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Director General/CEO of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, said “The development of entrepreneurial mind-sets among pupils/students in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria is becoming increasingly important in preparation for catching them young for improving employment generation through wealth creation and self-reliance.

    “N-SEP is set to provide access to functional and hand-on entrepreneurship and community service education to every primary and secondary school students in Nigeria.

    “This is to reduce poverty and massive youth unemployment. Also to create a network of leaders who will see the challenges in their communities as their responsibilities.

    “N-SEP is to empower the students to recognise opportunities, exploit them, and succeed in entrepreneurship and community service.

    “SMEDAN is mindful of the paradigm shift in today’s education, it is no longer ‘go to school, get a good grade and work in a reputable organization. It is now go to school, get a good grade, acquire the skill and knowledge that will enable you to start your own business’.

    “The era of brilliant curriculum vitae is over, this is the era of crafting a bankable business plan that will launch the students into being their own bosses.” he said.

    According to the Vice President,Yemi Osinbajo’s speech  at the occasion, the increasing influence of globalization and emergence of knowledge based economy have led to the adoption of entrepreneurship education as a means of linking knowledge and skill with learning for developing critical human capital and mitigate social consequences of unemployment.

    “Socio-economic implications of entrepreneurship and human capital development all over the world is seen as booster for wealth creation, employment generation, living standard, poverty and crime reduction which have direct impact on the national economy.

    “This programme we are launching today is aimed at encouraging an innovative/skills among basic and secondary schools pupils/students as this will enhance entrepreneurship and enterprise development towards poverty reduction and employment generation.

    “They should cultivate the culture of being their own bosses and not job seekers right from primary and secondary schools.

    “The development of any nation depends mainly on the creative capacity of the citizens to be capable of effectively exploring and exploiting the country’s natural resources and transforming them into finished products and services through value addition.

    “The main purpose of entrepreneurship for children in primary/secondary education is to encourage them to think of creativity and innovation.” he stated

    Despite Nigeria winning the SAGE World Cup eight times in the last ten years, observers have noted that it has not shown any corresponding improvement in self-employment in the country.

    It is hoped that N-SEP, in no distant future, will boost entrepreneurship and self-employment while also scaling down the unemployment rate in Nigeria.

  • ‘How to cash in on Aba’

    ‘How to cash in on Aba’

    Churning out good products, as Aba entrepreneurs do, is fine but there are clear-cut ways to make good money from those products, especially if you are an exporter

    ‘Various speakers at the event said Abia State, owners of SMEs and freight operators would make more money, create job opportunities and improve the economies of Southeast states and the country’s economy if there would be favourable government policies that would protect local industry’

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s rhetoric and local content policy may have changed the story of Aba, Abia State’s city of commerce and enterprise. The city’s enterprise is well known, but the entrepreneurs have not always profited from that fame. Their products are not well packaged, and are sometimes dismissed as substandard. That is partly because the producers have little cash to boost their businesses, and also because Nigerians are fixated on everything foreign.

    Taking office in 2015, and with a drained, import-dependent  economy to manage, President Buhari stressed that the only way to recovery is Nigerians producing what they use. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has visited Aba to sink the message in and to stimulate local content growth. The state governor Okezie Ikpeazu has also worked hard to create the Aba brand, taking it with him everywhere he goes, tapping up investors. Their efforts are yielding fruit. Investors have started coming, and gradually the brand is shaping up. But there is more work to be done, said the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in the Southeast. You have to make the product make more money.

    The NSC, which now has an office in Aba in anticipation of the increased volume of trade, organised a seminar for Small, and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) and stakeholders in shipping and freighting to educate them on how to profit from made-in-Aba products.

    Various speakers at the event were of the view that the state government, owners of SMEs and freight operators would make more money, create job opportunities and improve the economy of southeast states and the country’s economy at large if there would be favourable government policies that would protect the interest of the local industry.

    The participants at the event commended the NSC for such a laudable step towards equipping them with the right knowledge on the do’s and don’ts of exportation in order to prevent their products from being rejected for not meeting international standard.

    The participants, especially importers of raw materials and other products, also raised concerns over the deplorable state of roads in the Southeast, activities of the Nigerian Customs, poor supply of electricity in the region and Aba in particular. They also called for the construction of railway lines linking Aba to other parts of the country and for the federal government to provide technical assistance and market connections to entrepreneurs through the shippers and exports promotion councils.

    They also urged the NSC to mount pressure on major stakeholders to ensure that the Ntigha Isiala Ngwa Dry Port takes off for ease of doing business and reducing cost of moving goods within the southeast region and beyond.

    The stakeholders who lauded NSC over their roles in enhancing shipping business and protecting the SMEs, also called for a common facility centre (CFC) in Aba zone to support whatever they have been doing in order to promote the exportation of made-in-Aba goods.

    In her address, the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of NSC, Mrs. Ify Okolue said that the importance of the seminar cannot be overemphasized especially at a time when the federal government and most state governments were championing alternative sources of income.

    Okolue said that the kickoff of the Ntigha Dry Port remains a priority for government agency and stated that the multiplier effect of the dry port would touch on the facets of the state economy and that of the entire Southeast.

    She reassured the stakeholders of the agency’s commitment to ensuring that they do their business seamlessly.

    She said that the essence of the seminar which, according to her, would be regular, was part of the agency’s commitment towards ensuring that potential exporters have the necessary information about importation and exportation of finished and unfinished goods from Nigeria to other parts of the world. She added that a well-informed producer or manufacturer won’t have his or her goods turned back in terms of meeting the standard of exporting goods at the global scene.

    The Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello said that the seminar was historic as it was expected to bring to limelight the industrial ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Aba man and woman as the federal government continues in its initiatives in the promotion of non-oil export potentials of the nation’s economy.

    He said, “Gone are the days when people derogatorily spoke about locally made goods of which the Aba business community has pioneered and driven over the years even without any encouragement. I want to place on record that if you were able to achieve some level of success in the sector when there was little or no support from the government, you have every reason to record much more success now that the government of the day is on your side.”

     

  • Kano trains 7, 000 youths on google digital

    Kano trains 7, 000 youths on google digital

     Over 7000 youths in Kano state were yesterday trained on Google digital skills, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative, designed to empower youths to become self-reliant and employers of labour.
     
    The youths were trained in six different centres simultaneously within Kano metropolis.
     
    Speaking during the inauguration of the one-day training workshop, Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje underscored the importance for youths to be conversant, with information technology, so as to realize their full potentials in the modern world.
     
    According to him, “present day life is driven by digital knowledge. The aim of the state government is to empower Kano youths, with ICT knowledge, as a way of making them become self-reliant and useful to the society.”
     
    He further stated that, “part of the motive for organizing the empowerment programme is to get rid of poverty, upgrade Kano youths, so as to contend, with their contemporaries from other climes. We hope that this will accord them the knowledge, with which to shun anti-societal vices and engage themselves in meaning and productive ventures.”

    He expressed  optimism that on completion of the first  and second phases of the exercise, a minimum of 7000 youths in the state would utilize the digital knowledge acquired to support the fight against climate change, improve agricultural sector, provision of quality health service and further proceed to secure the future of the state.
     
    Ganduje added that selected participants were drawn from the 44 Local Government Areas without resort to the considering political party affiliation.
     
    Earlier in his remark, Kano state Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, comrade Mohammed Garba disclosed that, the one day intensive  programme was being held in six different locations across the state.
     
    He disclosed that, the training programme is a joint capacity building venture between the state government and the office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDG’s, adding that upon completion, the state government will equip the participants with laptop computers and other necessary equipments they need to start-up their business.
     
    In her address, Kano state Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Bar. Zubaida Damaka Abubakar said that Ganduje’s administration has trained and empowered youths in different skills acquisition areas like automobile, computer training among others, adding that in realization of the training exercise, the state government released N5.6 million as counterpart funding for the training programme.
     
    The Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on SDG’s, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire revealed that, over 125,000 Nigerian youths would be provided with ICT basic skills across the country.
     
    The aide to president Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary attached to the office of the SSA, Alhaji Waziri Laminu, stated that, 7000 beneficiaries have been selected from Kano to benefit from the national scheme.
  • Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

    Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

  • I’ve been constant in fight against corruption—E.K Clark

    I’ve been constant in fight against corruption—E.K Clark

    Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, says he has been in the crusade against corruption in the country long before the coming of the current federal administration.

    Chief Clark who spoke in Warri on Friday, reacted to a recent question placed on his anti-corruption stance, which has been touted as an emergency stunt.

    According to the elder statesman, he was one of the loudest voices against the social ill during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, trend he said he continued during former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He however said those who criticised him for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft crudade and had kept mum during his predecessor’s tenure had not been truthful and had been unfair to him.

    “Ordinarily, I shouldn’t have reply to it because whoever is the author is vicious, wicked and not a patriotic Nigerian. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have written I never spoke against corruption during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I said the author is being vicious because I have being talking about corruption even before the time of Jonathan. In the first place, I talked about corruption during the time of erstwhile President Obasanjo and Yar’ Adua.

    “I remembered at that time, I was in the forefront of fighting our former governor, Chief James Ibori, leading to him being sentenced UK. Every Nigerian is aware of this. I led the crusade against him especially when a judge dropped the charges against him”, the elder statesman stated.

    He added that under Jonathan he wrote open letters and held private talks with the former president on corrupt governors in the country noting that some of their cases were still pending in various courts, wondering while his critics were accusing him of keeping mum on corruption.

    Clark reiterated that President Buhari’s fight against corruption was in the interest of the country, saying, “no matter whatever fault we find against him. Some people said it is discriminatory but before Buhari came to power when he was campaigning that he is going to fight corruption.

    “And he drew a line that those who were corrupt before he came to office that he will not prosecute them. But will only prosecute those who were corrupt when he had taken office, I was first to attack him. I wrote to the various embassies that it is not right to differentiate between one group of corrupt officer and another set because some are with him in the same party?

    “But when he decides to wage war against corruption I saw to it that he was sincere. Whatever shortcomings notwithstanding, he is doing a good job in cleaning the society. People are now becoming more careful than it was before even those they are not accused of being corrupt.”

    “During Jonathan time I accused Chief Obasanjo that he was the most corrupt ex-president Nigeria had ever produced. I said that he left prison with only N20,000, but today he is one of the wealthiest former President in the whole of West Africa. All these I said during Jonathan time”, Clark further stated.

  • New NPA MD pledges improved revenue

    New NPA MD pledges improved revenue

    The new Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has said that the new management will strive for enhanced operational efficiency for improved revenue generation and inflows into national treasury.

    Usman stated this at the handover ceremony between her and the former Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi, on Monday in Lagos.

    According to her, our ports are the critical arteries of the economy and it is our duty to ensure that the operators deliver ports services in line with the standards deserved in the 21st century.

    She said that the new management would support President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of economic diversity.

    “We will listen to our customers, importers and exporters and other agencies working in the ports to improve on our service delivery to the nation.

    “Anything less than the world class services is simply not acceptable. Attaining such height is the mission to which we can all subscribe to.

    “As a team leader, I have come to add my best efforts to yours so that we can collectively achieve result for our industry.

    “We must work as a team, pursuing common goals with professionalism and diligence,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Usman as saying.

    She added that the new management would prioritise investments in primary equipment and infrastructure and services with commitment to fulfilling NPA’s concession agreement to hasten clearance of imports and exports from the ports.

    She noted that collectively, the hard work of staffs could position NPA as a modern agency.

    “To function as regulator, all of us at NPA must be committed to the highest standards of performance. Let us uphold the most diligent work ethics in our individual beats as well as collective undertaking to achieve result.

    “Everyone at the NPA has a role in promoting best practices in upholding good governance, standards and delivering quality services.

    “We would jointly work hard with integrity and zero-tolerance for corruption.

    As the new management settles, we would be listening to your concerns and suggestions as we navigate the best options for effectively discharging the NPA’s mandate.

    “I hope and I believe we would jointly work together as one family to achieve our mandate,’’ NAN quotes Usman as saying.

    In his speech, Abdullahi said that since July 2012, when the management came on board, it recorded modest achievements.

    He said that NPA under his leadership was able to achieve automation of operational processes, infrastructural development, Greenfield and Brown field developments and building a strong port community system.

    Abdullahi explained that the outgoing management also built strong human resources through training and re-training.

    In five years’ time, more than 50 per cent of the top managers will be out and presently they are on the average 55 years old. These are from senior managers to general managers and this is quite challenging.

    He urged the new management to come up with succession scheme to ensure that the younger ones take over “because you are going to miss the experience of the older ones’’.

    Abdullahi said that his administration was proud of putting in place the Command, Control and Intelligence Unit, adding that the administration also installed the e-payment system.

    He added that his administration automated the payment systems to create room for transparency.

    “We also automated the Ship Entry Notice to create room for transparency,’’ NAN quotes him as saying.

    The former managing director said that his administration integrated NPA’s operations with other stakeholders like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to serve a s platform to block all revenue leakages.

    “We also dredged and maintained the water channels for smooth navigation. The deeper the channels, the bigger the vessels that will come in.

    “Nearly 60 per cent of our revenue goes into dredging and we tries as much as possible to buy tug boats,’’ NAN quotes Abdullahi as saying.

    He said that there had been improved port operations and cargo throughput As well as deepening of the port channels.

    Abdullahi said that “Nigeria is the only port in West Africa receiving big WAFMAX vessels.’’

    According to him, we have improved wreck removal operations as well as human and vehicular traffic and we made available 24-hour operations at the ports.

    He said that his administration moved toward encouraging non-oil exports to see how Nigeria could explore the possibilities of exports.

    Abdullahi recalled that NPA management sent a letter to the Ministry of Solid Minerals to explore the possibility of exporting solid minerals.

    “Over 80 per cent of containers that leave this country leave empty.

    “NPA is partnering with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to ensure the containers does not leave empty.

    “With the new set of management, I am sure you will come up with fresh ideas that will move the industry further,’’ he said

  • I will support Buhari’s policies – Wike

    I will support Buhari’s policies – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that he will support the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, particularly the one that will  enhance the  wellbeing  of Rivers people.

    Speaking  at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday when he granted  audience to the Local Study Group from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, Kuru, Governor Wike said that his primary  focus is to work for the  good of Rivers People.

    He noted that he will not use his office for unnecessary  politicking, pointing  out  that  good policies transcend party affiliation.

    “I will support  any policy of the Federal Government  that will enhance  the  living  standard of  the  people of Rivers State.  It doesn’t  matter who initiated such policy  as long as it favours our people”.

    Speaking  further, the Governor urged the  Federal Government to find ways to implement  the  recommendations  of  different  NIPPS study teams especially  as they relate to poverty  alleviation.

    He said  the  Rivers State Government will  support  the  NIPPS  study team in carrying  out  their research into poverty alleviation in the state.

    Earlier, Director of Studies and Leader of Delegation  of the Study Group of NIPPS , Prof Celestine Oyom Bassey, said  that  the team was in the  state to carry out an assessment  of  the  impact  of  poverty alleviation programmes in the state.